Bathtub Construction Set

ABSTRACT

A toy that is comprised of diverse cylindrical tubes, channels, and spouts to provide entertainment and educational value for the user through engineering a route for the transfer of water and other objects. These tubes are positioned in manners of various directions and secured to a surface, likely a shower wall or bath tub, with rubber suction cups or other affixing mechanism, which are easily repositioned and moved by the user. The issue addressed with this invention is as follows: children become easily bored and unengaged in the shower or bath, and this toy would provide for not only entertainment, but engineering experience for the child, as they would be constructing an effective path for the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for use in abath, the apparatus providing the user with entertainment and/oreducational value.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,620 describes a set of marble tracks which can bearranged on a planar or columnar surface, such as a tree orrefrigerator. The apparatus contains a construction set which includes acollection of ramps and other mechanisms which are intended to be set ina predetermined fashion for traversing a marble.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,675 describes a toy that is mounted on the insidewall of a bathtub with rotating items. This toy provides for the fluidto move only in a pre-determined route and does not allow for the userto manipulate the route of the water or the placement of the items.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,928 describes a trough-like apparatus which hooksonto the edge of a bathtub, catching fluid that splashes out of notedtub and diverting the water back into the tub so that no excess fluidescapes onto the floor. The apparatus includes water wheels forentertainment purposes.

However, prior approaches to bath apparatus lack flexibility as they arelimited to immobile structures and are otherwise designed to remainstationary so that they intercept only the fluid which is splashed fromthe tub. Moreover, prior approaches do not embody apparatus whichtransfers fluid and must be engineered (in that it is arranged toproperly intercept and dispatch fluid and other toys through positioningand otherwise arrangement) by a user, providing entertainment and/oreducational value.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus intended for use as avessel to transfer water, instead of merely preventing splashes. Thereis also a need for a bath apparatus embodying mobile structures and thataccepts fluid contained within a bath, as well as apparatus that isengineered by a user to provide entertainment and/or educational value.

The present disclosure addresses these and other needs.

SUMMARY

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention is directed towardsan apparatus for use in a bath, the apparatus configured to provide theuser with entertainment and/or educational value. In one embodiment, theapparatus is intended to embody a tube or other mechanism to be arrangedparallel to planar or curved surfaces in the bath, shower, or elsewhere.In one or more aspects, the apparatus is arranged to direct the flow offluid and/or objects through a system of the apparatus, where the courseof the fluid includes open air and underwater trajectory, which includediversions and spouts along the route.

In one or more embodiments, the apparatus of the present disclosure caninclude tubes that can be linear, curved, or otherwise shaped, allowingfor the continuous motorized or non-motorized flow of fluid and/orobjects through them. The apparatus may include an entrance such as acup or funnel positioned at the mouth of said tube to funnel fluid inthe desired fashion through the tube. The positioning of these tubes isintended to conduct the fluid and/or objects, so that the user maysituate the subsequent tube or other apparatus in a manner that providesa temporary receptacle for the fluid and/or objects and additionallychannels the flow elsewhere to be discharged, manipulated, stored orcontinued into succeeding apparatuses. Various objects may be positionedon, within, or near the tubes that interact with the fluid or user andprovide entertainment and educational value. The present apparatusherein described creates a path to be predominantly traversed by fluid,such as water, but can additionally support other objects, such as butnot limited to bath toys, round objects, sponges, air bubbles, smallanimals, and further articles which can traverse the system of tubes andmechanisms with or without the aid of fluid.

These and other features of the disclosure will become apparent to thosepersons skilled in the art upon reading details of the systems andmethods as more fully described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view, depicting an internally hollow tube of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, depicting the internally hollow tubeof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view, depicting a wide mouthed funnel apparatus of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view, depicting an internally hollow hose-likeapparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view, depicting an internally hollow angled tube of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 a. is a side view, depicting an internally hollow tube whichdiverges from one path into two separate routes.

FIG. 6 b. is a top view, depicting the diverging tube of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 is a side view, depicting an internally hollow tube with smallapertures along the sides.

FIG. 8 a. is an end view, depicting a cross section of a J-shapedapparatus with wheel

FIG. 8 b. is a side view, depicting the J-shaped apparatus of FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9 a. is a side view, depicting a U-shaped apparatus of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 b. is an end view, depicting a cross section of the U-shapedapparatus of FIG. 9 a.

FIG. 10 a. is a top view, depicting another approach to an apparatus ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 10 b. is a front view of apparatus of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11 a. is a top view, depicting an alternate version of apparatus ofFIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11 b. is a front view, depicting the alternate version of apparatusof FIG. 11 a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present system and related methods are described, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodimentsdescribed, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting sincethe scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appendedclaims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present disclosure, the preferred methodsand materials are now described.

This toy could be used by a child for entertainment during their bath,shower, or other water related activities. The child would arrange theapparatuses in a manner that allows the fluid to traverse the system formaximum entertainment value. The child could arrange the apparatuses ina way that provides for the best fluid retention, the most interestingpath, or in whatever fashion suits them. This toy would also provideeducational value, as the child would have to think about the best wayin which to position the apparatuses so that they retain, manipulate,and pass the fluid.

The apparatus depicted in FIG. 1., an internally hollow tube, includesthe following: 1 A wide opening at the mouth of the tube, 2, Theelongated tube for fluid or other objects to pass through, maintainingmomentum so that it is discharged through 5, a spout-like opening at theend of the tube, as well as 3 and 4, which are suction cups to allowadherence to the vertical curved or planar surface.

The depiction of FIG. 2. includes: 6, an area for the fluid and otherobjects to pass through, and 8., the suction cup noted in claim 2.

FIG. 3. embodies 9, which intercepts the flow of fluid from the faucetand is discharged through 10, an opening at the end of the cusp of thetube. It also adheres to the vertical curved or planar surface usingsuction cups, 7 and 11.

FIG. 4. demonstrates the long hose-like apparatus described as part ofclaim 1, illustrating an appliance which secures all sides of theflexible opening to the faucet, ensuring that the water is transportedeasily to the tube 12. which curbs a portion of fluid from the faucet,and directs it through an elongated pipeline, 14, until it is dischargedout through a spout like opening, 15. It is attached to the verticalplanar or curved surface using suction cups, 13.

FIG. 5. portrays an angled tube which is attached to the vertical planaror curved surface with suction cups 17, into which fluid and/or otherobjects enter through a widened portion of the tube, 16 and is directedin a bent fashion, 19. It is then discharged through an opening, 18.

FIG. 6.a shows an apparatus which adheres to the vertical planar throughsuction cups (21, 23.). It intercepts the flow of fluid and/or objectsthrough 20 and splits the flow into two separate streams, one of whichpasses underneath the other in 22, and is then ejected through 24 and25. FIG. 6.b shows how the water enters the tube (27), is split, 28 andis directed underneath the other (29) It then flows out of the tubethrough 30.

The depiction of FIG. 7. includes a widened interceptor 31 to catch thefluid and/or objects which were discharged by the previous apparatus,and propel them so that they either continue out through the vacuity onthe end of the tube, or are divulged in small amounts through the smallapertures (32) in the sides and/or bottom of the tube. The apparatusattaches to the wall using suction cups (33)

FIG. 8a portrays a cross section, in which a suction cup (37) can attachto a vertical planar or curved surface a J-shaped apparatus (35) fromwhich protrudes an axle, 38, around which turns a waterwheel (39). FIG.8b shows a front view of the J-shaped (40) apparatus into which fluidenters through a scoop-shaped point at the front of the appliance, 41,in doing so turning a triad of water wheels, 43, 44, 45. The apparatusadheres to the vertical planar or curved surface using suction cups (42,36)

FIG. 9a shows a U-shaped (46) into which fluid and/or objects enterthrough a widened end, 47, and proceed through the span of the apparatusand be discharged through a spout-like end, 49. The piece is positionedon the wall using suction cups (48) FIG. 9b portrays how the apparatusis adhered to the wall through suction cups (50), and the U-shape of theentire contraption (51).

FIG. 10a shows an apparatus (53) which attaches to the wall usingsuction cups (52) and includes two horizontal water wheels (55 a, 55 b)which gyrate, rotating small objects (56 a, 56 b, 57 a, 57 b, 57 c, 57d, 57 e). FIG. 10b , a front view of the apparatus noted in FIG. 10a ,with same suction cup (69), main body (66) and gyrating objects (67 a,67 b, 68 a, 68 b, 68 c, 68 d, 68 e).

FIG. 11a refers an apparatus (60) which also adheres to the surfaceusing suction cups (59). This apparatus channels fluid in a way so thatit turns a gear (62) from which protrudes a vertical shaft that suspendsan object (58) above the wheel itself, keeping it upright by weighingdown the posterior of the vertical shaft. FIG. 11b depicts a front viewof noted suction cup (63) attached to the apparatus (65) of FIG. 11a ,including the interchangeable object (64) of claims 15 and 16, and thesupport rod (61) made from a rigid plastic material.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to thespecific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of thedisclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation, material, composition of matter, process, processstep or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. All such modifications are intended to be within the scopeof the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set of positionable tubes, suction cups, and further contraptions for arrangement adjacent to a surface as well as adherence to a surface, comprising: a multiplicity of internally hollow tubes, which when in cross section are orbicular in shape, that attach to formerly mentioned suction cups or other means of adherence, and direct the flow of fluid from the preceding tube or further contraption into the subsequent, each of referred to tubes having optional means of altering and/or advancing the route of the fluid, allowing for it to be stored or discharged in a modified fashion by cause of the current orientation of said tube.
 2. The set of claim 1, further comprising a means for establishment and the reliable ability to move said tubes into subjective or consistent reference including suction cups, magnets, glue, velcro, hooks, posts, trays, tacks, nails, screws, straps, stands, racks, sticky pads, or other means.
 3. The set of claim 1, said tubes including an expandable flexible hose or tube, a funnel-like apparatus fitted with or without an adherence apparatus, and an apparatus with an adaptable mouth fitted with an adherence apparatus.
 4. The set of claim 1, further including use of materials and objects, excluding marbles, for means of traversing noted tubes and mechanisms with or without the aid of fluid. Materials include soap, light, sound, air, other gases, oil, dye, wood, and other viscous substances. Objects include but are not limited to bath toys, wheels, tumbling figures, sponges, round objects (excluding marbles), inflatable items, living creatures, towels, and cups.
 5. The set of claim 1 wherein the apparatuses are rigid, flexible, expandable, removable, interchangeable, or able to be reshaped or disassembled. The apparatuses can be made of multiple parts which can be disassembled and reassembled for entertainment, variation, or cleaning purposes.
 6. The set of claim 1 wherein the surface is planar, curved, jagged, or otherwise irregular
 7. The set of claim 1 wherein the surface is vertical, horizontal, or otherwise positioned
 8. The set of claim 1 wherein the noted surface is associated with a bath or shower
 9. The set of claim 8 wherein an object that traverses said tubes is a marble.
 10. The set of claim 1, wherein the tube being non-linear so that it directs the flow of fluid and/or objects in a non-linear course, which is intended to allow for it to be guided to an additional planar or otherwise surface, including, but not limited to, where two walls meet in the tub.
 11. The set of claim 1, wherein the tube can be shaped, curved, bent or otherwise manipulated before or after attachment to a surface
 12. The set of claim 1, wherein the tube begins as a singular hollowed cylinder, and splits into two separate tubes to divert the fluid into independent passages, allowing for disjointed paths that can be manipulated separately
 13. The set of claim 1, wherein the tube is fitted with varying apertures including allowing limited discharge of the fluid and/or objects through said apertures and the remaining discharge to continue through specified tube and allowing complete discharge of the fluid and/or objects through said apertures.
 14. The set of claim 1, wherein the tube has varying cross sectional shapes including but not limited to J shape, the elongated uppermost section outwardly attaching to said suction cup or other means of adherence to said planar or curved surface, a U shape, possibly allowing for the user to interact with the fluid or other material as it traverses through the tube, a C shape, possibly allowing for some fluid to escape, or a V shape.
 15. The set of claim 1, further comprising one or more axles that move including axles mounted horizontally or vertically on which wheels or other devices are affixed, or axles on which a simulation of an animate being are affixed.
 16. The set of claim 1, further comprising an apparatus that cause an object to inflate or fill.
 17. The set of claim 1, wherein an apparatus stores fluid and including an apparatus that allows the remaining fluid to be expelled into the succeeding tube or mechanism or an apparatus that stores fluid until the apparatus reaches a set amount at which time the fluid is discharged.
 18. The set of claim 1, further including but not limited to variation with lights, sounds, color, material, shape, as well as themes.
 19. The set of claim 1, further including use of motors, pumps or other mechanisms which are intended to aid the flow of the fluid and/or other objects which are intended to navigate the system of tubes and other mechanisms.
 20. The set of claim 1, further including use of water wheels or other water-powered gyrating objects.
 21. The set of claim 17, further including use of water wheel or other water-powered gyrating object that moves small objects in a repeated motion suspended above said apparatus using a connector between noted wheel and object.
 22. The set of claim 1, wherein structure are manipulated or supported by hand.
 23. The set of claim 1, further including electronics that may generate light, sound, actuation, or movement.
 24. The set of claim 1, further including a remote control device to actuate an apparatus in the set of claim 1
 25. The set of claim 1, further including a means of preventing unwanted splashes is included
 26. The set of claim 1, further including a means of positioning the apparatus is to use hooks to affix the tubes on, into or over a surface
 27. The set of claim 1, further including a means of positioning the set of apparatuses is a pre-made curved or planar surface on which the apparatuses can be positioned that may include suction cups, slots, pegs, holes, hooks, sticky surfaces, or other means of establishment
 28. The set of claim 1, wherein some or all apparatuses are pre-mounted on an object, surface, or other structure and the object, surface, or other structure can be outfitted with adherence mechanisms such as suction cups, slots, pegs, hooks, stick surfaces, or other means of establishment.
 29. The set of claim 1, wherein apparatuses, objects and/or fluid glow, reflect or emit light
 30. The set of claim 1, wherein the apparatuses and/or objects can be attached to each other for stabilization, support, manipulation, or for entertainment purposes 